Effective date

Changes to these rules will take effect on July 1, 2025. Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Regulations Rule 1.3.0. Purpose and Definitions. (a) The purpose of the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Regulations is to expound on the guiding principles set forth in Article IV, Rule 3 of the Rhode Island Supreme Court Rules. These MCLE Regulations are adopted to implement a program of MCLE and to set standards and minimum requirements for the program. (b) Definitions. (1) “Accredited Sponsor” means a sponsor of continuing legal education activities accredited pursuant to Article IV, Rules 3.4 and 3.5 and MCLE Regulations §§1.3.4 and 1.3.5. (2) “Active Practitioner” means an attorney who is required to pay the annual registration fee imposed by the Rhode Island Supreme Court for the current registration period. Attorneys who maintain active status during any portion of the Page 12 of 38 Revised March 11, 2026 MCLE Reporting Year are subject to MCLE requirements. (3) “Approved Program or Activity” means a continuing legal education program that meets the requirements of Article IV, Rules 3.4 and 3.7 and MCLE Regulations §§ 1.3.4 and 1.3.7 and is offered by an Accredited Sponsor under Article IV, Rule 3.5 and MCLE Regulation § 1.3.5, or a program that otherwise meets the requirements of Article IV, Rules 3.4 and 3.7 and MCLE Regulations §§ 1.3.4 and 1.3.7 and is approved by the MCLE Commission pursuant to Article IV, Rule 3.6 and MCLE Regulation § 1.3.6. (4) “Article IV, Rule 3” means the MCLE Rule of the Rhode Island Supreme Court. (5) “Director” means the Executive Director of the MCLE Commission. (6) “In-house” means continuing legal education programs sponsored by a single private law firm, a single corporate law department, or a single federal, state, or local governmental entity where the only participants are members or employees of the firm, department, or entity. (7) “In-person” means a live continuing legal education program presented in a classroom setting devoted to the program with attendees in the same room as the instructor. (8) “Late Filing” means the Active Practitioner did complete the requisite courses or credits during the current MCLE Reporting Year, but did not submit or certify the credits by June 30 of that reporting year. (9) “Makeup Filing” means the Active Practitioner did not complete the requisite courses or credits during the current MCLE Reporting Year. (10) “MCLE Commission” means the Rhode Island Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Commission. (11) “MCLE Credit Hour” means fifty (50) minutes spent by an Active Practitioner in instructional programming at an approved continuing legal education activity. (12) “MCLE Regulations” means the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Regulations adopted by the MCLE Commission and approved by the Rhode Island Supreme Court from time to time. (13) “MCLE Reporting Year” means the time period between July 1 and June 30 of any given fiscal year. The initial MCLE Reporting Year for newly admitted attorneys shall commence the second July 1 after the attorney is sworn in. (14) “Teleseminar” means a live continuing legal education program broadcast via telephone to remote locations (i.e., a classroom setting or a central listening location) or to individual attendee telephone lines. Attendees may participate in the program in a group setting or individually. Question and answer opportunity is made available. Page 13 of 38 Revised March 11, 2026 (15) “Video Replay” means continuing legal education programs delivered via the Internet, consisting of on-demand, not live, webcasts/webinars (recorded online courses), or video lectures. Question and answer opportunity is not made available. (16) “Webcast/Webinar” means a live continuing legal education program broadcast via the Internet to remote locations (i.e., a classroom setting or a central viewing or listening location) or to individual attendees. Attendees may participate in the program in a group setting or individually. Question and answer opportunity is made available. Rule 1.3.1 MCLE Commission. (a) The MCLE Commission shall meet at the office of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, Providence, Rhode Island at the discretion of its chair, and as necessary to fully conduct the business of the Commission. (b) The Supreme Court shall appoint the chair from among the members of the MCLE Commission. (c) Members shall be appointed for a three (3) year term. Five (5) members shall constitute a quorum, which shall be sufficient to conduct business. Rule 1.3.2 MCLE Requirements. (a) Active Practitioners in Rhode Island shall complete ten (10) MCLE Credit Hours of continuing legal education in each MCLE Reporting Year. At least two (2) of the required ten (10) MCLE Hours shall be in the area of legal ethics and one (1) MCLE Credit Hour shall be in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), as defined in Appendix A. (b) Exemptions. Article IV, Rule 3.2(a) and subsection (a) shall not apply to the following Active Practitioners who may be subject to certification of the exemption or waiver: (1) An Active Practitioner who suffers a disability which makes physical attendance at continuing legal education programs an extreme hardship shall file on the summary reporting form (Appendix G via the MCLE Portal) by June 30 of each MCLE Reporting Year a request for a substitute program in lieu of attendance and shall therein propose the alternative continuing legal education program the Active Practitioner can undertake, together with a doctor’s letter specifically stating the Active Practitioner’s inability to attend. The MCLE Commission shall review and approve or disapprove such alternate programs or waivers on an individual basis; (2) Other requests for alternative continuing legal education programs, waivers, or exemptions for good cause shall be submitted to the MCLE Commission on the summary reporting form (Appendix G via the MCLE Portal) by June 30 of each Page 14 of 38 Revised March 11, 2026 MCLE Reporting Year with full explanation of the circumstances supporting the request (Appendix G via the MCLE Portal); (3) Attorneys who are listed as inactive or resigned on the records of the Supreme Court shall be exempt; (4) Attorneys holding a full-time federal, state, or municipal office and who are not engaged in the practice of law shall be exempt during their term(s) of office but must submit an attestation that the attorney is not engaged in the practice of law on office letterhead indicating job title and any other relevant documentation to the MCLE Commission on the summary reporting form (Appendix G via the MCLE Portal) by June 30 of each MCLE Reporting Year; (5) Federal and state court judges and magistrates whose judicial duties are full- time and who are not engaged in the practice of law shall be exempt; (6) All newly admitted attorneys subject to Article IV, Rule 3.3 and MCLE Regulation § 1.3.3 “Rhode Island Bridge the Gap” requirement shall be exempt; (7) Active Practitioners who are current members of the Rhode Island Board of Bar Examiners and the Committee on Character and Fitness, due to their unique contribution to the profession shall be exempt but must certify said status by submitting a letter from the chairperson attesting to membership to the MCLE Commission on the summary reporting form (Appendix G via the MCLE Portal) by June 30 of each MCLE Reporting Year; (8) Active Practitioners who are current members of the Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline, the MCLE Commission, the Disciplinary Board, and the Ethics Advisory Panel are exempt from reporting two (2) legal ethics credits due to their unique contribution to the profession. The chairperson must submit a letter to the MCLE Commission attesting to membership by June 30 of each MCLE Reporting Year. The Active Practitioner may submit said status on the summary reporting form (Appendix G via the MCLE Portal); (9) Notwithstanding any of the other provisions in this section, any attorney who reaches the age of seventy (70) during a MCLE Reporting Year shall be granted exemption for that year and thereafter; (10) Attorneys who are active full-time, military personnel are exempt from the requirement, but must certify said status on the summary reporting form (Appendix G via the MCLE Portal) by submitting a redacted copy of the attorney’s current orders by June 30 of each MCLE Reporting Year; (11) The Chief Disciplinary Counsel, Deputy Disciplinary Counsel, Assistant Disciplinary Counsel, and the Ethics Advisory Panel staff attorney are exempt from reporting two (2) legal ethics credits due to their unique contribution to the profession. The office must submit a letter to the MCLE Commission attesting to membership by June 30 of each MCLE Reporting Year. The Active Practitioner Page 15 of 38 Revised March 11, 2026 may submit said status on the summary reporting form (Appendix G via the MCLE Portal); and (12) Attorneys who are active on the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee (UPLC) are exempt from reporting two (2) legal ethics credit hours due to their unique contribution to the profession. As the committee workload changes each year, the UPLC will be required to present a detailed request for any increased credit exemption to the MCLE Commission no later than May 15th of each year. (c) Attorneys who participate on the criminal Court Appointment Panel shall be awarded one (1) MCLE Credit Hour per case with a maximum of five (5) MCLE Credit Hours allowed per MCLE Reporting Year. Credit shall be awarded in the MCLE Reporting Year for the disposition of the criminal case. Attorneys shall complete a MCLE Criminal Court Appointment Panels form located on the Rhode Island Judiciary’s website at www.courts.ri.gov. Attorneys shall submit an Appendix D via the MCLE Portal and attach the Criminal Court Appointment Panels form. Rule 1.3.3 “Rhode Island Bridge the Gap” Requirement. (a) The “Rhode Island Bridge the Gap” requirement is a mandatory one-day course, which shall be taken by each newly admitted attorney within ninety (90) days upon admission to the Rhode Island Bar (sworn in and issued a bar number). (1) This requirement applies to all newly admitted attorneys to Rhode Island, unless the newly admitted attorney: (i) Has been admitted in another jurisdiction for three (3) years or more; and (ii) Submits a certificate of good standing to the MCLE Commission via the MCLE Portal attesting to the fact that the attorney has been admitted in another jurisdiction for the prescribed period. (2) The effective date of this rule is January 1, 2025. (3) Date of attendance shall be filed with the MCLE Commission via the MCLE Portal. (b) Filing and Records. On or before June 30 of the MCLE Reporting Year, each attorney shall file the date of attendance with the MCLE Commission via the MCLE Portal documenting compliance with this requirement. The responsibility to ensure the accuracy and timely submission of the data rests solely with the reporting attorney. Each attorney shall maintain such records as may be required to substantiate the attorney’s compliance for a period of three (3) years following the close of the MCLE Reporting Year. (c) The Rhode Island Bar Association or an educational institution approved by the Supreme Court shall sponsor the “Rhode Island Bridge the Gap” course. The course shall be offered as a Video Replay as well as In-person. The fees for the Page 16 of 38 Revised March 11, 2026 course, whether In-person or on Video Replay, shall be set by the Supreme Court as deemed necessary. (d) The MCLE Commission shall grant no exemptions or extensions unless exceptional circumstances apply. An Active Practitioner may file a waiver or makeup consideration with the MCLE Commission via the MCLE Portal fully explaining the exceptional circumstances that caused the need for a waiver or extension. The MCLE Commission shall review each request on an individual basis. (e) No MCLE credits are given for this course. (f) Failure to Comply. A newly admitted attorney who fails to comply with the requirements of Article IV, Rule 3.3 and this subsection within ninety (90) days of admission to the Rhode Island Bar shall be assessed a makeup filing fee and shall be removed from the Master Roll of Attorneys without further notice. An attorney whose name has been removed from the Master Roll of Attorneys and who practices law or holds out in any manner to the public or to another person as being competent, qualified, authorized, or entitled to practice law in this state is engaged in the unauthorized practice of law and may be subject to the disciplinary procedures of the Supreme Court. (1) An attorney whose name has been removed from the Master Roll for failure to comply with Article IV, Rule 3.3 and this subsection may be reinstated upon completing the “Rhode Island Bridge the Gap” course and payment of the makeup or late filing fee, plus reimbursement of the costs of collection, if any, within six (6) months of the initial filing deadline (June 30). (See Appendix C, Schedule of Fees.) Reinstatement after having been removed from the Master Roll for a period of six (6) months or less may be completed via the MCLE Portal. (2) An attorney whose name has been removed from the Master Roll for failure to comply with subsection (f)(1) for a period in excess of six (6) months shall file an application with the Supreme Court seeking reinstatement, in accordance with Article IV, Rule 1(e), and provide a copy to the Supreme Court’s Disciplinary Counsel and the MCLE Commission. The applicant for reinstatement shall submit an affidavit with the application attesting that the applicant has not been disciplined in this or any other jurisdiction, that the applicant is not the subject of any pending disciplinary charges, and the applicant is not aware of any reason why the application should not be granted. Disciplinary Counsel shall provide the Supreme Court with a Report and Recommendation on the application within thirty (30) days after receiving the application. (3) An attorney in the practice of law in another jurisdiction who is removed from the Master Roll for failure to comply with Article IV, Rule 3.3 and MCLE Regulation § 1.3.3 shall, in addition to the prerequisites stated above, provide to the Supreme Court a certificate from the appropriate disciplinary tribunal of the jurisdiction in which the attorney has been practicing law that: Page 17 of 38 Revised March 11, 2026 (i) The attorney is a member in good standing of the bar in such jurisdiction; and (ii) That no disciplinary action is pending against the attorney in the other jurisdiction. Rule 1.3.4 Credits and Computation. (a) MCLE credit(s) for Approved Program or Activity attendance will be awarded on the basis of one (1) credit hour for each fifty (50) minutes actually spent in attendance. One-half credit shall be awarded for: (1) Approved Programs or Activities exceeding standard credit increments by at least twenty-five (25) minutes (e.g. seventy-five (75) minutes = 1.5 credits); and (2) Legal ethics and DEI presentations of at least twenty-five (25) minutes duration, whether stand-alone or included in a larger program. Credits are calculated by rounding down to the nearest half credit (e.g. 1.8 credits will be awarded 1.5 credits). NO credit will be allowed for any program of less than twenty-five (25) minutes duration, regardless of the topic. (b) The burden of proving MCLE credit entitlement for attendance at a course offered shall be on the Active Practitioner who, upon demand, must submit all registration and course materials concerning said program. (c) MCLE credit will not be given for any course taken before admission to the Rhode Island Bar. Although newly admitted attorneys are exempted from reporting in the current and next full MCLE Reporting Year, the attorney may submit a maximum of ten (10) credits from the date of the attorney’s admission to be applied towards the first MCLE Reporting Year. (d) MCLE credit may be earned through enrollment in formal education of a postgraduate nature, either for credit or by audit, in an ABA accredited law school. The MCLE Commission will award one (1) MCLE Credit Hour for each fifty (50) minutes of class attendance. The course credit hours allotted by the law school shall not be a consideration. (e) MCLE Credit Hours may be obtained for attendance at In-house programs that meet the requirements of Article IV, Rules 3.4 and 3.7 and MCLE Regulations §§ 1.3.4 and 1.3.7 and are approved by the MCLE Commission pursuant to Article IV, Rule 3.5 and MCLE Regulation § 1.3.5 (Appendix D, Course Accreditation). (f) No more than five (5) MCLE Credit Hours may be earned by an Active Practitioner in any MCLE Reporting Year through MCLE In-house activities. (g) MCLE Credit Hours may be earned for certain activities crossing academic lines (e.g., accounting-tax). (See Appendix A, Accreditation Guidelines for Continuing Legal Education, for criteria.) (h) The MCLE Commission will award teaching credits, with an annual limitation of six (6) MCLE Credit Hours, to an Active Practitioner who teaches an Page 18 of 38 Revised March 11, 2026 Approved Program or Activity and submits an Appendix F on the MCLE Portal. Rules for course accreditation, standards, and teaching qualifications are provided herein in Appendix A, Accreditation Guidelines for Continuing Legal Education Activities, Article IV, Rule 3.7 and MCLE Regulation § 1.3.7 and Appendix B, Teaching Qualifications, respectively. (i) Presenters who serve as members of a discussion or similar panel shall receive teaching credit only if they have made a presentation which conforms to the requirement of Appendices A and B. (j) The MCLE Commission may award credit for research activities upon application via the MCLE Portal by attorneys engaged in such activities, provided the activity: (1) Has produced published findings in the form of articles, chapters, monographs, or books personally authored in whole, or in part, by the applicant; and (2) Contributes substantially to the continuing legal education of the applicant and other attorneys. Such credit(s) shall not exceed five (5) MCLE Credit Hours per MCLE Reporting Year. The MCLE Commission will, upon publication and submittal, judge applications on a case-by-case basis as to acceptability, and if so found, the number of MCLE Credit Hours allowed. (Appendix E, Authorship Credit, via the MCLE Portal.) (k) Provider shall issue proof of attendance to each attendee only at the conclusion of a seminar. The MCLE Commission recommends a sign-in/sign-out procedure and implementation of such a procedure shall afford the provider a “safe haven” should any problems concerning attendance arise. (l) A maximum of six (6) credits per MCLE Reporting Year may be earned for Video Replay courses (see Appendix D). (m) If an Active Practitioner earns more than ten (10) MCLE Credit Hours in a MCLE Reporting Year, the excess hours may be used to fulfill, as far as possible, the Active Practitioner’s MCLE requirement for the next ensuing year, but not thereafter. Excess credits must be reported in the year taken. (n) An Active Practitioner who principally practices in any MCLE jurisdiction other than Rhode Island, who is deemed in compliance with that other jurisdiction’s MCLE requirement for the MCLE Reporting Year, shall be deemed in compliance with Rhode Island only if the MCLE Commission receives, by June 30 of the MCLE Reporting Year, an official transcript or certification from the other jurisdiction accompanied by the filing form prescribed by the MCLE Commission and filed by the practitioner via the MCLE Portal. (o) No more than one (1) MCLE Credit Hours will be granted for acting as a judge, facilitator, or trainer in a moot or mock trial competition or seminar per MCLE Reporting Year. Such credit will be granted only if student critiquing is part Page 19 of 38 Revised March 11, 2026 of the Active Practitioner’s contribution to the competition. (p) Book Discussion Groups are an Approved Program or Activity. A Book Discussion Group must be led by a teacher or facilitator and have in attendance not less than six (6) members. The book to be discussed must be preapproved by the MCLE Commission before credit will be awarded and include how the book qualifies under Article IV, Rule 3.7 and MCLE Regulation § 1.3.7 and a proposed agenda for discussion. An Active Practitioner is limited to one (1) book discussion per MCLE Reporting Year. No more than 1.5 MCLE Credit Hours will be granted per MCLE Reporting Year for a Book Discussion Group. Active Practitioners shall not submit an Appendix D Course Accreditation form for Book Discussion Group credit as the book shall be preapproved prior to the course registration. Teaching credits will be awarded under subsection (h) and are also limited to one (1) book discussion per MCLE Reporting Year. Pursuant to Article IV, Rule 3.5 and MCLE Regulation § 1.3.5, the Accredited Sponsor must apply for book approval at least thirty (30) days prior to the course date as well as report attorney attendance no later than thirty (30) days after the course date via the MCLE Portal. Rule 1.3.5 Accredited Sponsor Approval. (a) In order to obtain and maintain accreditation, sponsors of MCLE courses or activities must comply with the following minimum requirements via the MCLE Portal: (1) The sponsor must develop and implement methods to evaluate the sponsor’s course offerings to determine their effectiveness and, upon request from the MCLE Commission, provide course evaluations by attendees; and (2) The sponsor must provide courses consistent with the Standards for individual course approval as set forth in Article IV, Rule 3.7 and MCLE Regulation § 1.3.7. (b) A law firm, corporate legal department, or government agency may apply to the MCLE Commission via the MCLE Portal for approval of credit for an In-house course or activity. In addition to the Standards set forth in Article IV, Rule 3.7 and MCLE Regulation §1.3.7, a minimum of seven (7) lawyers, including the instructor, must attend the course or activity for the course or activity to qualify for MCLE credit, and the In-house MCLE activity shall meet the following minimum requirements: (1) The course must be open to in-person monitoring/observation by any member of the MCLE Commission; and (2) The activity must be scheduled at a time and location so as to be free of interruptions from telephone calls and other office activity. (c) The MCLE Commission may, at its discretion, require an Accredited Sponsor to submit a report in writing of continuing legal education activities conducted Page 20 of 38 Revised March 11, 2026 during any given MCLE Reporting Year. (d) If the MCLE Commission determines that an individual course offered by an Accredited Sponsor fails to meet the Standards for accreditation, the Commission may deny approval for the course even though offered by an Accredited Sponsor (Appendix D). (e) The MCLE Commission may at any time reevaluate and, for cause, revoke the status of an Accredited Sponsor for including, but not limited to, failure to comply with Article IV, Rule 3.8 and MCLE Regulation § 1.3.8(e). (f) There are three (3) types of fees associated with Accredited Sponsor status. First, the Accredited Sponsor offering more than two (2) credits per MCLE Reporting Year shall pay an annual accreditation fee plus an application fee per course. In the remaining two (2) types, the Accredited Sponsor shall pay a limited annual accreditation fee based upon the number of credits (one (1) or two (2) credits) for the Approved Program or Activity within the MCLE Reporting Year. (See Appendix C, Schedule of Fees.) (g) A sponsor wishing to apply for Accredited Sponsor status shall submit to the MCLE Commission via the MCLE Portal, information on any continuing legal education programs planned for the current application year. The MCLE Commission may, at its discretion, request submission of course materials for inspection (Appendix D). (h) Sponsors of courses which have been accredited or approved may announce in informational brochures or registration materials: “Subject to Article IV, Rule 3 of the Rhode Island Supreme Court Rules, this course has been approved by the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Commission for a maximum of ______CLE credits, inclusive of _____ legal ethics credits and/or _______ diversity, equity and inclusion credits.” (i) At the conclusion of an Approved Program or Activity, each participating attorney should be given the opportunity to complete an evaluation form addressing the quality, effectiveness, and usefulness of the program or activity. (j) Accredited Sponsors shall allow MCLE Commission members and staff to attend, free of charge, any continuing legal education program. Such attendance shall not qualify for MCLE. (k) In the case of In-person, Webcast/Webinar, and Teleseminar courses, a qualified person must be in attendance and shall be the one who, by academic or professional qualifications, possesses the knowledge to interact with the audience to supplement the presentation and answer questions. Commentary and question-and- answer segments should occur at a meaningful time during the program, preferably after each subject matter break. (l) Sponsors shall maintain a record of all courses and attendance from the MCLE Reporting Year for a period of three (3) years. Such records will be subject to review Page 21 of 38 Revised March 11, 2026 by the MCLE Commission upon request. Rule 1.3.6. Individual Course Approval. An individual attorney may apply to the MCLE Commission via the MCLE Portal for approval for credit of a continuing legal education course or activity in such manner as set forth in Article IV, Rule 3.7 and MCLE Regulation § 1.3.7. Rule 1.3.7. Standards. A continuing legal education course, program, or activity shall meet the following minimum standards in order to be approved for MCLE credit: (1) Be of significant intellectual and practical content such that the course, program, or activity will contribute to the growth of an attorney’s professional competence and skills; (2) The subject matter shall be directly or supportively relevant to the practice of law and/or legal ethics (Appendix A); (3) Be conducted by a person or persons qualified professionally to present the subject matter involved; (4) Be presented in a classroom, meeting room, lecture hall or other venue conducive to a meaningful educational experience; (5) The content shall be presented in a multi-mode fashion, utilizing oral presentations and may be supplemented with written, digital, and/or electronic materials. All materials shall meet the highest professional standards in terms of their timeliness, organization, and detail; and (6) Video and audio presentations may be utilized in addition to oral and written presentations. Rule 1.3.8. Filing and Records. (a) When an Active Practitioner completes the annual MCLE requirements set forth in Article IV, Rule 3.2 and MCLE Regulation § 1.3.2, the Active Practitioner shall promptly report such fact to the Director via the MCLE Portal (Appendix G, Summary Reporting Form). (b) In cases where a program sponsor either failed to supply certification, the same was supplied or lost, and/or certification was not available (e.g. scholarly writing), the Active Practitioner shall certify the Active Practitioner’s attendance in Appendices D and G via the MCLE Portal. (c) Each Active Practitioner must report the status of the Active Practitioner’s compliance, waiver, or exemption annually not later than June 30 of each MCLE Page 22 of 38 Revised March 11, 2026 Reporting Year (Appendix G via the MCLE Portal). (d) Any documentation received by the Director after July 15 (Tier I), October 1 (Tier II), or January 1 (Tier III) for the prior MCLE Reporting Year will subject the Active Practitioner to a progressive makeup or late filing fee (Appendix C, Schedule of Fees). Submission of documentation for courses or credits taken more than three (3) years prior to the then current MCLE Reporting Year shall be subject to the approval by the MCLE Commission. (e) As set forth in Article IV, Rule 3.5(d)(3), any Accredited Sponsor must apply for course approval at least thirty (30) days prior to the course date as well as report attorney attendance no later than thirty (30) days after the course date via the MCLE Portal. Course approval received by an Accredited Sponsor at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the course will be subject to a late fee. (See Accredited Sponsor Prior Course Approval Late Fee – in Appendix C.) Attorney attendance received by the MCLE Commission from the Accredited Sponsor after thirty (30) days from the date of the course will be subject to a late fee. (See Accredited Sponsor Late Attorney Attendance Fee in Appendix C.) Course approval received after the date of the course will be subject to an additional late fee. (See Accredited Sponsor Approval After Course Date Late Fee in Appendix C.) Accredited Sponsors may be subject to the potential loss of accreditation. (f) As soon as practical after the close of a MCLE Reporting Year, the Director shall send a notice of delinquency to any Active Practitioner who fails to submit satisfactory proof of either compliance or exemption. The Active Practitioner’s failure to receive such notice does not constitute a waiver of noncompliance, and the burden of curing any noncompliance remains with the Active Practitioner at all times. (g) Each Active Practitioner shall maintain a personal record of MCLE attendance or exemption from the MCLE Reporting Year for a period of three (3) years. Such records will be subject to review by the MCLE Commission upon request. (h) The Active Practitioner may review the Active Practitioner’s continuing legal education record via the MCLE Portal. The responsibility to ensure the accuracy and timely submission of the data rests solely with the reporting attorney. Rule 1.3.9. Failure to Comply – Sanctions. (a) An Active Practitioner who fails to fulfill the educational requirements of MCLE shall correct the Active Practitioner’s failure to comply with the requirements of this rule within ninety (90) days (Tier I) of the date of the notice of delinquency, or be subject to possible sanctions by the Supreme Court. A fee will be assessed for makeup filing or for late filing (see Appendix C, Schedule of Fees). Page 23 of 38 Revised March 11, 2026 (b) For any makeup credits received after the ninety (90) day makeup period has elapsed (Tier II), the Active Practitioner shall be assessed double the published makeup filing fee (Appendix C). (c) If an Active Practitioner does not correct the Active Practitioner’s failure to comply with the requirements of MCLE within one hundred eighty (180) days of the date of the notice of delinquency (Tier III), the Active Practitioner shall be removed from the Master Roll of Attorneys without further notice. (1) An Active Practitioner whose name has been removed from the Master Roll for failure to comply with MCLE may be reinstated, upon completing and filing the courses, payment of the makeup or late filing fee, filing certification of proof with the MCLE Commission via the MCLE Portal, and payment of a reinstatement fee within six (6) months of the removal date. (2) An Active Practitioner whose name has been removed from the Master Roll for failure to comply with this rule for a period in excess of six (6) months shall file an application with the Supreme Court seeking reinstatement, in accordance with Article IV, Rule 1(e), and provide a copy to the Supreme Court’s Disciplinary Counsel and the MCLE Commission. The applicant for reinstatement shall submit an affidavit with the application attesting that the applicant has not been disciplined in this or any other jurisdiction, that the applicant is not the subject of any pending disciplinary charges, and that the applicant is not aware of any reason why the application should not be granted. Disciplinary Counsel shall provide the Supreme Court with a Report and Recommendation on the application within thirty (30) days. (d) An Active Practitioner engaged in the practice of law in another jurisdiction who is removed from the Master Roll for failure to comply with this Regulation shall, in addition to the prerequisites contained in these Regulations, provide to the Supreme Court a certificate from the appropriate disciplinary tribunal of the jurisdiction in which the attorney has been practicing law that: (1) The Active Practitioner is a member in good standing of the bar in such jurisdiction; and (2) That no disciplinary action is pending against the Active Practitioner in the other jurisdiction. (e) An Active Practitioner aggrieved by the refusal of the MCLE Commission to approve the Active Practitioner’s certification of proof may file a petition for review by the Supreme Court. Rule 1.3.10 Hearings. (a) If requested in writing, the MCLE Commission shall grant a hearing to anyone aggrieved by the operation and/or application of these rules. (b) At the discretion of the MCLE Commission, the hearing may be held before Page 24 of 38 Revised March 11, 2026 the entire Commission or a three-member panel thereof. If a hearing is held before a three-member panel, the panel shall report its findings and recommendations to the full MCLE Commission for action. (c) Hearings, when held, shall follow the course of proceedings before the Disciplinary Board of the Rhode Island Supreme Court. Rule 1.3.11 Reinstatement Procedures. Any attorney removed from the Master Roll for failure to comply with Article IV, Rule 3 and the MCLE Regulations, may be reinstated in accordance with Article IV, Rules 1(c) and 3.9 and MCLE Regulations §§ 1.3.9(c) and/or (d). Rule 1.3.12. Fees. (a) The administrative costs of the MCLE program shall, to the extent possible, not be met by direct assessment of the Active Practitioners. (b) Each MCLE provider who applies for Accredited Sponsor status shall be assessed fees (Appendix C). (c) Accredited Sponsors including In-house qualifiers, who offer not more than two (2) MCLE Credit Hours in any MCLE Reporting Year, shall pay a separate fee for the first and the second offering. (Appendix C). In-house programs may exceed the two (2) credit limit without further Accredited Sponsor fees. (d) In the case of “NO FEE” programs presented on a not-for-profit basis, neither the provider nor the attendee shall be liable for the application fee charge provided herein. (e) The MCLE Commission shall review and revise the Schedule of Fees (Appendix C) as it deems necessary. (f) Should the forgoing method(s) of funding prove either inadequate or unworkable, the MCLE Commission may from time to time alter this Regulation. Rule 1.3.13. Commission, Staff, and Expenses. A Director, appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, with such other staff as may be reasonably necessary, shall conduct the business of the MCLE Commission subject to these Regulations and to Article IV, Rule 3. Rule 1.3.14. Confidentiality. Subject to the direction of the Supreme Court, the files, records, and proceedings of the MCLE Commission, as they may relate to or arise out of the failure of an Page 25 of 38 Revised March 11, 2026 attorney to satisfy these continuing legal education requirements, shall be confidential. When the Director issues a notice of delinquency that an Active Practitioner is not in compliance with the filing or educational requirements set forth in these rules, the MCLE record of that attorney shall be open to public inspection during the time that the attorney is noncompliant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, MCLE Commission work product and attorney requests for waivers shall not be subject to public inspection. The MCLE Commission may, in anonymous fashion, abstract statistical studies for use by the Commission. Mailing Address of Commission. Subject to change by order(s) of the MCLE Commission from time to time, the official address of the Commission is: Rhode Island MCLE Commission Rhode Island Supreme Court 24 Weybosset Street Providence, RI 02903 (401) 222-4942 Page 26 of 38 Revised March 11, 2026 Appendix A Accreditation Guidelines for Continuing Legal Education Activities Pursuant to the authority granted to the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Commission to administer Article IV, Rule 3 of the Supreme Court Rules, the following accreditation criteria are hereby adopted as Appendix A to be used to determine if continuing legal education activities submitted for MCLE accreditation satisfy the general Standards specified in Article IV, Rule 3.7 and MCLE Regulation § 1.3.7. Continuing legal education activities shall be accredited for MCLE in Rhode Island if they meet the following accreditation criteria: (a) The activity consists of an organized program of education dealing with: (1) Substantive or procedural subjects of law; (2) Technical, scientific, or other bodies of knowledge that are so inextricably intertwined with an area of law practice as to be tantamount to a subject of law; (3) Legal skills and techniques; (4) Legal ethics and/or professional responsibility; (5) Diversity, equity, and inclusion relating to the practice of law; or (6) Law office management. (b) The instructors or lecturers are either qualified attorneys or judges, or they are experts in the subject area based on their education and background; (c) The activity is primarily designed and targeted to attorneys and other professionals who would require the same level of instruction as attorneys in the area of study that is the subject of the activity; (d) The activity is not a meeting of a bar association, committee, section, or other entity composed of attorneys that is designed to be a general business or work session as opposed to a continuing legal education activity; (e) The activity is not training in the actual use of specific hardware, software, or other tools that are specific products of a particular company or person, unless such training is merely a method of explaining the overall concept being taught; and (f) High quality written materials should be distributed to all participants at or before the time the activity is offered. “Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)” shall include programs that recognize the diversity of society and teach attorneys to effectively serve and have regard for this multi-lingual, multi-cultural, multi-racial, multi-religious, and multi-gender society while focusing on equity by highlighting equal opportunity and outcomes for all and achieving equal justice under the law, regardless of being a protected class or status. Page 27 of 38 Revised March 11, 2026 “Diversity” refers to the variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from differences of culture and circumstance. Such differences include, but are not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, language, abilities/disabilities, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and geographic region. “Equity” is the guarantee of fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all, while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of marginalized groups. “Inclusion” is the act of creating environments in which any individual or group can feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued. Examples of such programs shall include, but are not limited to, those that address one or more of the following: the challenges faced by groups underrepresented in or by the legal profession, eliminating bias, access to justice, increasing representation, reducing harassment, and barriers to hiring, retention, promotion, professional development, and full participation of underrepresented groups in the legal profession; give practical advice to participants that they can utilize and employ when improving DEI in their professional circles as well as the legal profession as a whole; and have speakers with personal and/or professional experience with DEI and offer unique insight into the challenges facing the legal profession and the justice system. “Legal ethics” shall include programs that deal with usages and customs among members of the legal profession, involving their moral and professional duties toward one another, toward clients, and toward the courts. “Professional responsibility” shall include programs that deal with maintaining the integrity and competence of the Bar so that legal services are delivered with the highest degree of professional conduct. Examples of such programs shall include, but are not limited to, those involving disciplinary rules, rules of professional conduct, malpractice avoidance, substance abuse and stress as an impairment on law practice, alternate dispute resolution, pro bono legal services, and the participation of women and minorities in the legal profession. “Law office management” shall include programs on topics that relate strictly to law offices and legal departments, and to the development and training of lawyers in the actual practice of law, as opposed to other businesses or professions, and in assisting them in providing high quality legal services to their clients. Examples of such programs shall include, but are not limited to, those involving: (1) administrative and organizational structure and planning for law firms; (2) case management and docket control; (3) accounting systems and time and billing systems for lawyers; (4) client filing and monitoring systems; (5) computerization, automation and data processing for law firms; and (6) personnel management. Page 28 of 38 Revised March 11, 2026 “Law office management” shall NOT include programs involving: (1) individual money management or investing; (2) personal development; (3) techniques designed and marketed solely to increase profits of a lawyer or firm; (4) general time management and personal organizational skills; and (5) individual communication and interpersonal skills such as interview skills. Page 29 of 38 Revised March 11, 2026 Appendix B Teaching Qualifications Teaching an Approved Program or Activity to persons pursuing a degree other than a J.D., L.L.B., L.L.M., or S.J.D degree for a semester (fifteen (15) weeks) or a trimester (ten (10) weeks) will qualify for teaching credit at a rate of six (6) teaching credits per MCLE Reporting Year. Teaching an Approved Program or Activity to persons pursuing a J.D., L.L.B., L.L.M., or S.J.D degree for a semester (fifteen (15) weeks) or a trimester (ten (10) weeks) will qualify for teaching credit at a rate of six (6) teaching credits per MCLE Reporting Year. A single instructor of an Approved Program or Activity teaching for less than a semester (fifteen (15) weeks) or trimester (ten (10) weeks) will qualify for teaching credits by multiplying the total number of minutes of instruction by three (3) and dividing this total by fifty (50) minutes for the MCLE Credit Hour. Multiple instructors (more than one (1) instructor presenting during the course or session), moderators of a panel, and/or panel participants on a teaching panel will qualify for teaching credit by multiplying the total number of minutes of instruction by two (2) and dividing this total by fifty (50) minutes for the MCLE Credit Hour. An attorney shall not receive participation, legal ethics, or DEI credits in addition to teaching credits. If an attorney has reached six (6) teaching credits for the MCLE Reporting Year and the attorney teaches additional courses or sessions, the attorney shall not receive participation credit. Teaching an Approved Program or Activity under the following circumstances does not qualify for teaching credit: